1 Samuel 9:15
1 Samuel 9:15 in Multiple Translations
Now on the day before Saul’s arrival, the LORD had revealed to Samuel,
¶ Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying,
Now Jehovah had revealed unto Samuel a day before Saul came, saying,
Now the day before Saul came, the word of God had come to Samuel, saying,
The day before Saul arrived, the Lord had told Samuel,
But the Lord had reueiled to Samuel secretly (a day before Saul came) saying,
and Jehovah had uncovered the ear of Samuel one day before the coming of Saul, saying,
Now the LORD had revealed to Samuel a day before Saul came, saying,
Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying,
Now the Lord had revealed to the ear of Samuel the day before Saul came, saying:
On the previous day, Yahweh had told Samuel,
You see, God talked to him the day before that, God said to him,
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Samuel 9:15
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
1 Samuel 9:15 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַֽ/יהוָ֔ה
גָּלָ֖ה
אֶת
אֹ֣זֶן
שְׁמוּאֵ֑ל
י֣וֹם
אֶחָ֔ד
לִ/פְנֵ֥י
בֽוֹא
שָׁא֖וּל
לֵ/אמֹֽר
וַֽ/יהוָ֔ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
Conj | N-proper
גָּלָ֖ה
gâlâh
H1540
to reveal
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
אֹ֣זֶן
ʼôzen
H241
ear
N-fs
שְׁמוּאֵ֑ל
Shᵉmûwʼêl
H8050
Shemuel
N-proper
י֣וֹם
yôwm
H3117
day
N-ms
אֶחָ֔ד
ʼechâd
H259
one
Adj
לִ/פְנֵ֥י
pânîym
H6440
face
Prep | N-cp
בֽוֹא
bôwʼ
H935
Lebo
V-Qal-Inf-a
שָׁא֖וּל
Shâʼûwl
H7586
Shaul
N-proper
לֵ/אמֹֽר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Samuel 9:15
וַֽ/יהוָ֔ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
Conj | N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
גָּלָ֖ה
gâlâh
H1540
"to reveal"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to reveal or uncover something, often in a way that's embarrassing or shameful. It can also mean to exile someone, forcing them to leave their home. In some cases, it's used to describe God revealing himself to people.
Definition: : reveal[information] 1) to uncover, remove 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to uncover 1a2) to remove, depart 1a3) to go into exile 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) (reflexive) 1b1a) to uncover oneself 1b1b) to discover or show oneself 1b1c) to reveal himself (of God) 1b2) (passive) 1b2a) to be uncovered 1b2b) to be disclosed, be discovered 1b2c) to be revealed 1b3) to be removed 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to uncover (nakedness) 1c1a) nakedness 1c1b) general 1c2) to disclose, discover, lay bare 1c3) to make known, show, reveal 1d) (Pual) to be uncovered 1e) (Hiphil) to carry away into exile, take into exile 1f) (Hophal) to be taken into exile 1g) (Hithpael) 1g1) to be uncovered 1g2) to reveal oneself
Usage: Occurs in 167 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] advertise, appear, bewray, bring, (carry, lead, go) captive (into captivity), depart, disclose, discover, exile, be gone, open, [idiom] plainly, publish, remove, reveal, [idiom] shamelessly, shew, [idiom] surely, tell, uncover. See also: Genesis 9:21; Job 38:17; Psalms 18:16.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
אֹ֣זֶן
ʼôzen
H241
"ear"
N-fs
The Hebrew word for ear, referring to the body part or the ability to hear, is used in various contexts, including listening to God's voice in Psalm 40:6. It can also mean to uncover or reveal something, as in 1 Samuel 20:2.
Definition: : ear 1) ear, as part of the body 2) ear, as organ of hearing 3) (subjective) to uncover the ear to reveal; the receiver of divine revelation
Usage: Occurs in 179 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] advertise, audience, [phrase] displease, ear, hearing, [phrase] show. See also: Genesis 20:8; Psalms 40:7; Psalms 10:17.
שְׁמוּאֵ֑ל
Shᵉmûwʼêl
H8050
"Shemuel"
N-proper
Shemuel was the name of three Israelites, including a judge and prophet of Israel during the time of King Saul and King David. His name means his name is El and he was the son of Elkanah and Hannah.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Issachar living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, only mentioned at 1Ch.7.2; son of: Tola (H8439); brother of: Uzzi (H5813H), Rephaiah (H7509I), Jeriel (H3400), Jahmai (H3181) and Ibsam (H3005) § Samuel = "his name is El" 1) son of Elkanah by his wife Hannah and judge or prophet of Israel during the days of Saul and David 2) son Ammihud and the prince of the tribe of Simeon who was chosen to divide the land of Canaan between the tribes. Spelled 'Shemuel' 3) son of Tola and grandson of Issachar. Spelled 'Shemuel'
Usage: Occurs in 120 OT verses. KJV: Samuel, Shemuel. See also: Numbers 34:20; 1 Samuel 12:1; Psalms 99:6.
י֣וֹם
yôwm
H3117
"day"
N-ms
The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow
Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.
אֶחָ֔ד
ʼechâd
H259
"one"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means one or united, and is used to describe something that is single or unique. It is often translated as one, first, or alone. For example, in Genesis 1:5, God calls the light day and the darkness night, and separates them into one thing from another.
Definition: 1) one (number) 1a) one (number) 1b) each, every 1c) a certain 1d) an (indefinite article) 1e) only, once, once for all 1f) one...another, the one...the other, one after another, one by one 1g) first 1h) eleven (in combination), eleventh (ordinal)
Usage: Occurs in 739 OT verses. KJV: a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together, See also: Genesis 1:5; Exodus 36:26; Numbers 7:70.
לִ/פְנֵ֥י
pânîym
H6440
"face"
Prep | N-cp
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.
בֽוֹא
bôwʼ
H935
"Lebo"
V-Qal-Inf-a
This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.
Definition: A shortened name of Lebo Hamath complined withcha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574) This name means to go in, enter
Usage: Occurs in 2307 OT verses. KJV: abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. See also: Genesis 2:19; Genesis 32:7; Exodus 1:19.
שָׁא֖וּל
Shâʼûwl
H7586
"Shaul"
N-proper
Shaul is a personal name meaning desired, given to several individuals in the Bible, including a Benjamite who became the first king of Israel and a Levite living during the time of the Divided Monarchy. He is mentioned in 1 Chronicles and 1 Samuel.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.6.24; son of: Uzziah (H5818H); father of: Elkanah (H0511I); also called Joel at 1Ch.6.36; Also named: yo.el (יוֹאֵל "Joel" H3100U) § Saul or Shaul = "desired" 1) a Benjamite, son of Kish, and the 1st king of Israel 2) an early king of Edom and a successor of Samlah 3) a son of Simeon 4) a Levite, son of Uzziah
Usage: Occurs in 335 OT verses. KJV: Saul, Shaul. See also: Genesis 36:37; 1 Samuel 16:22; 1 Samuel 24:5.
לֵ/אמֹֽר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
Study Notes — 1 Samuel 9:15
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 1 Samuel 9:15 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 9:15
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 9:15
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 9:15
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 9:15
- Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 9:15
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Samuel 9:15
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 9:15
- Whedon's Commentary on 1 Samuel 9:15
- Sermons on 1 Samuel 9:15
Context — Saul Chosen as King
13As soon as you enter the city, you will find him before he goes up to the high place to eat. The people will not eat until he comes, because he must bless the sacrifice; after that, the guests will eat. Go up at once; you will find him.”
14So Saul and his servant went up toward the city, and as they were entering it, there was Samuel coming toward them on his way up to the high place.
15Now on the day before Saul’s arrival, the LORD had revealed to Samuel,
16“At this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you are to anoint him ruler over My people Israel; he will save them from the hand of the Philistines. For I have looked upon My people, because their cry has come to Me.” 17When Samuel saw Saul, the LORD told him, “Here is the man of whom I spoke; he shall rule over My people.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Acts 13:21 | Then the people asked for a king, and God gave them forty years under Saul son of Kish, from the tribe of Benjamin. |
| 2 | 1 Samuel 15:1 | Then Samuel said to Saul, “The LORD sent me to anoint you king over His people Israel. Now therefore, listen to the words of the LORD. |
| 3 | Job 33:16 | He opens their ears and terrifies them with warnings |
| 4 | 2 Samuel 7:27 | For You, O LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, have revealed this to Your servant when You said, ‘I will build a house for you.’ Therefore Your servant has found the courage to offer this prayer to You. |
| 5 | Amos 3:7 | Surely the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets. |
| 6 | Psalms 25:14 | The LORD confides in those who fear Him, and reveals His covenant to them. |
| 7 | 1 Samuel 20:2 | “Far from it!” Jonathan replied. “You will not die. Indeed, my father does nothing, great or small, without telling me. So why would he hide this matter from me? This cannot be true!” |
| 8 | Mark 14:13–16 | So He sent two of His disciples and told them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jug of water will meet you. Follow him, and whichever house he enters, say to the owner, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is My guest room, where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?’ And he will show you a large upper room, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.” So the disciples left and went into the city, where they found everything as Jesus had described. And they prepared the Passover. |
| 9 | Acts 27:23 | For just last night an angel of God, whose I am and whom I serve, stood beside me |
| 10 | 1 Samuel 9:17 | When Samuel saw Saul, the LORD told him, “Here is the man of whom I spoke; he shall rule over My people.” |
1 Samuel 9:15 Summary
This verse tells us that God spoke to Samuel, giving him information about something that would happen the next day. This shows us that God is a God who knows all things and is in control of everything, as we see in Psalm 139:1-6. It also reminds us that God often speaks to those who are seeking to follow Him, and that He can give us wisdom and guidance for the challenges we face, as seen in James 1:5. By trusting in God's sovereignty and seeking to hear His voice, we can have confidence that He is working all things out for our good, as promised in Romans 8:28.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that the LORD revealed something to Samuel?
This means that God spoke to Samuel, giving him knowledge or insight that he wouldn't have had otherwise, similar to how God spoke to prophets in other parts of the Bible, such as in Isaiah 6:1 or Jeremiah 1:4-5.
Why did God reveal this information to Samuel the day before Saul's arrival?
God revealed this information to Samuel ahead of time so that he would be prepared to anoint Saul as the leader of Israel, as described in 1 Samuel 9:16, and to demonstrate His sovereignty over the events that were unfolding, as seen in Isaiah 46:10.
How did Samuel know that Saul was the man God was talking about?
Samuel knew that Saul was the man God was talking about because God told him, as recorded in 1 Samuel 9:17, and because God had already given him a description of the man He would send, as seen in 1 Samuel 9:16.
What can we learn from the fact that God revealed His plans to Samuel before they happened?
We can learn that God is a God who is in control of all things, and that He often reveals His plans to those who are seeking to follow Him, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6 and Jeremiah 29:11.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that God speaks to us today, and how can we be sure that we are hearing His voice?
- How can we, like Samuel, be prepared to respond to God's leading in our lives?
- What are some things that God has revealed to us in His Word that we can trust in, even when we don't understand what's happening around us?
- How can we balance the desire to know what God is doing with the need to trust Him even when we don't have all the answers?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 9:15
Now the Lord had told Samuel in his ear,.... In a private manner, whispering in his ear, telling him in a free, familiar, friendly way, as a secret: a day before Saul came; that he might prepare for
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 9:15
Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying, Now the Lord had told Samuel in his ear a day before , [ gaalaah (H1540) 'et (H854) 'ozen (H241), uncovered the ear] - i:e.,
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 9:15
In his ear, i.e. secretly. A day before Saul came, that he might prepare himself for Saul’ s reception.
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 9:15
1 Samuel 9:15 Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying,Ver. 15. The Lord had told Samuel in his ear.] By the instinct of his Spirit: Samuel was his favourite, and had communication of his secrets. Every saint hath likewise "the mind of Christ" "revealed unto him by his Spirit," even such things as "eye hath not seen, nor ear heard."
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 9:15
(15) Had told Samuel in his ear.—Literally, had uncovered the ear of Samuel. The image is taken from the action of pushing aside the head-dress, in order the more conveniently to whisper some words to the ear. This is one of the few more direct intimations in the sacred records of one of the ways in which the Spirit of God communicated Divine thoughts to the human spirit. Here the Eternal Spirit is represented as whispering in the ear of man. “The true spirit of Jahveh (Jehovah), full of compassion, had already on the preceding day whispered to Samuel that for the deliverance of Janveh’s people . . . a Benjamite must be anointed king.”—Ewald.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Samuel 9:15
Verse 15. Now the Lord had told Samuel] How this communication was made, we cannot tell.
Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 9:15
15–24. Saul entertained by Samuel 15. Now the Lord had told Samuel in his ear] Lit. “had uncovered Samuel’s ear,” a figure of speech said to be derived from the practice of removing the hair or a corner of the turban from another’s ear in order to whisper a secret into it.
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Samuel 9:15
15. The Lord had told Samuel — Probably in direct answer to prayer.
Sermons on 1 Samuel 9:15
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Los Angeles Conference #4 by T. Austin-Sparks | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the story of the Israelites in the book of Samuel. The Israelites, dissatisfied with Samuel's leadership and the behavior of his sons, demand |
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God's Preparation for Ministry by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of exalting Jesus Christ and proclaiming His message loudly and clearly, without seeking recognition or fame for ourselves or |
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The Spirit of Truth by Art Katz | In this sermon, the preacher addresses the issue of the corporate spirit and disobedience among congregations. He refers to the visual expression of disobedience registered in the |
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Obedience and Authentically Walking With God by Brian Long | In this sermon, the speaker briefly discusses the story of Saul in 1 Samuel 15. He emphasizes the importance of obedience and walking authentically with God. The speaker suggests t |
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Job #3: The 4th Friend by Ed Miller | In this sermon, the speaker begins by emphasizing the importance of relying on the Holy Spirit when studying the Bible. He then introduces the character of Elihu in the book of Job |
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Hope and Comfort Usually Follow Genuine Humiliation and Repentance by Jonathan Edwards | Jonathan Edwards preaches about the process of finding hope and comfort after genuine humiliation and repentance. He explains how God brings His people into the wilderness of troub |
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(2 Samuel) a Tale of Two Houses by David Guzik | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of believers going above and beyond in their relationship with God. He encourages listeners to outdo one another in acts of lo |